Grande: That was hardly a 'Spartacus moment'

As I followed the Senate confirmation hearing for Judge Kavanaugh this past week, painful as it was at times, I grew more and more concerned and discouraged by the behavior I saw, especially by some of the Democratic senators.

Written By

Bette Grande
Sep 9th 2018 - 8am.

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As I followed the Senate confirmation hearing for Judge Kavanaugh this past week, painful as it was at times, I grew more and more concerned and discouraged by the behavior I saw, especially by some of the Democratic senators.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., was rude from the start, and he and others simply saw the hearings as a platform for their presidential aspirations. Politicizing the hearing that way violated the rules and decorum of the Senate and made a mockery of the Senate's advise and consent responsibility.

For Booker's biggest stunt, he implied that he had released confidential papers that would be against the rules of the Senate, knowing full well that Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, had already cleared the documents for release under Senate procedure, in order to claim his "Spartacus moment." What remains to be seen is how many Democratic senators, especially those from the heartland, will stand with the self-appointed Spartacus.

Adding to the spectacle were the paid protesters, supported by progressive groups and encouraged by the Democrat Party. You really have to wonder what they thought they would accomplish by the coordinated demonstrations. Characterized as "free speech," it was jarring and disruptive. Those antics may play well on the coasts, but in fly over country it was a disgusting display. I do not always agree with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., but he said (paraphrase) that comparing the confirmation hearing this week to a circus is unkind to circuses. I agree.

Desperation. As I watched the proceedings all I could see was the desperation of today's Democratic Party. Faced with a nominee, Kavanaugh, who is well qualified by his education, temperament and experience, the Democrats tried to make President Trump the object of the hearing. It did not work.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the new norm in Washington, D.C. Personal attacks and the frantic search for a "gotcha moment" will make it harder and harder to find good people to fill these vital roles. What person would want to subject their family to this type of abuse?

All of the bluster about documents by the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee was for show (and fundraising). Every Democrat on the committee had already announced that they will not support the nomination of Kavanaugh, some senators even announced that they would not support the nominee even before the person was announced. Kavanaugh will soon be Justice Kavanaugh, but the antics and behavior on display this past week will stick with voters for a long time. I hope Sen. Heidi Heitkamp will not fall in line with the rest of her party. North Dakota deserve better.

Spartacus? No. I am thinking Inspector Clouseau.

Grande represented the 41st District in the N.D. Legislature from 1996 to 2014. She is a wife, mom, grandma, lover of life and Jesus. Opinions are solely her own.